What does workplace-based learning look like at Vertex Pharmaceuticals? We are intentional about curating real-world, hands-on experiences for students. We want to get young people excited about science early in life and show them that a career in STEM can be challenging, rewarding and fun.

In our Learning Lab in San Diego, we partner with schools within the San Diego Unified School District to create opportunities for students, especially young women and students of color who have been traditionally underrepresented in our industry.  

Our high school summer internship is one of Vertex’s signature STEAM* education programs — a six-week paid internship where students get to work in the lab and learn about different cutting-edge equipment and technology alongside scientists at Vertex. In addition to working with a manager, each student is paired with a mentor, which is a critical piece of the puzzle for developing a professional network and exploring the variety of careers available in biotech. 

According to Filsan, one of our high school interns, “If you get the opportunity to be an intern at the Learning Lab, you’re going to love it.” Learn more about our high school internship program: 
 

Learn more about our commitment to STEAM education in our communities at https://www.vrtx.com/responsibility/our-steam-commitment/.  
 

* We’re intentional about including the arts when referring to STEAM education, as we believe infusing the arts and creative thinking into education are essential for a career in STEM.